How to start your day the healthy way

Eating for Health

Organic Oats, Raisins, Pitted Dates, Hemp Oil and Bananas

I'm really working on eating for health because as I enter into the more mature years of my life, quite happily, I might add, I realise I have to work in partnership with my body. Nature has provided all that we need to live in good health while food manufacturers provide all the unhealthy convenient options.

If we take the time to listen to Mother Nature and we will see the wonders of all her untampered ingredients that will assist us to live with renewed energy, good health and greater well being.  
We would be blown away. I know that I certainly am and continue to be as I look, learn and research. 
One habit that I have adopted to ensure I have the best day possible is to have a healthy breakfast. Eat like a king! 

What's a Good Hearty Breakfast Option?
Cocoa Pops
Frosties
All Bran
Kellogs K

I've tried them all and outgrown them and realise that they don't work for me as I need them to. I cannot afford to be ravenous by 11 o'clock in the day. 
It makes me miserable, I cannot concentrate and I'm not giving my best to work, family or anything else. I also find that if I start the day with these cereals I then feel like eating more unhealthy foods as the day goes on. Does that happen to you?

Recipe for A Hearty Breakfast
I never measure exactly so please adjust for your needs.

1/2 cup Organic Jumbo Oats
6 pitted dates chopped
1 Tbsp raisins
Available fruit: bananas (usually 1/2), strawberries, kiwis, blueberries.

Power Pack Punch
1 Tbsp Flaxseed usually Linwoods brand which comes in a range of choice
You can buy nuts and seeds individually, grind them and add them as you choose.

Super Power Punch
I Tbsp Hemp Oil
1 Tsp Coconut Oil

Method
You can use milk, water or milk alternative such as Almond milk
Add enough liquid to cover the oats and microwave for 1.5 or 2 mins maximum

Add raisins, dates and chosen fruit for the day
Mix
Add Flaxseed Mix and your chosen Super Power Punch oil and mix untill everything is blended

Put on some energising music and enjoy the goodness

The variations for this are endless. You can have  fruit based oats or a nut based or a mix of both according to what your body is saying that morning. 

I guarantee that you will be full right up to lunchtime and will only need to drink your water or herbal tea until then. Less snacking in between meals as well!!
You will be able to work with concentration, patience and joy looking forward to a healthty lunch.

Sources
I buy the Oats from Holland and Barrett as this brand does not go all soft and mushy in the microwave which is my personal preference. The rest of the family like the ordinary oats so you need to see which you prefer.
I also buy the coconut oil from them and a little goes a long way.
The Linwoods Flaxseed and other mixes are available from Holland and Barret also. 1 packet lasts a bit more than a month so its good value for  money and for health.
The rest of the ingredients can be found quite easily in the supermarkets and local stores.

I hope this gives you some help if you are looking to introduce a more healthy start to your day.
Go buy the good stuff and get ready for renewed energy and zest for your day.
Let me know how it goes.

Simple Henna Ayurvedic Natural Hair Treatment

It's Natural Hair Wash Day using a mix of Henna and Ayurvedic Powders

I started the day with a clean, happy head of hair after completing a relatively simple but still messy henna ayurvedic treatment which I switched up a bit from my regular regime.
There is nothing more energising than having your crowning glory shining and glossy for the week ahead. It just makes my day and I hope it helps with yours!

What did I do today?

From my library of Ayuvedic powders I chose

• 1 tsp Henna
• 1 tsp Aritha
• 1 tsp Brahmi
• 1 tsp Amla
• 1/2 tsp Coconut oil

All of these powders contribute to the cleansing and conditioning of your hair in a very gentle but thorough manner which leaves your hair purring like a kitten after treatment.

My Expanding library of Ayurvedic Powders with prices you can see!

Aritha is known as the Soapnut powder and comes from the fruit of the Soapnut tree. The fruit of the tree contains a high level of saponins which acts as a foaming agent making it a natural cleanser. 

Henna is known as a wonderful conditioner for your hair. It helps to restore damaged hair and bring it back to health while maintaining the natural acid-alkaline balance of the scalp. I have very sensitive scalp and have enjoyed using henna over the past few months without any irritation or itchiness. Please note that henna can be drying for some hair types and so less is always best to start with until you understand what your hair is saying about the product. Henna also adds colour to your hair.

Brahmi powder combats a number of chronic hair problems helping to strengthen the hair roots and control hair thinning and loss. I always include this in my hair regime as I have thinning edges and patches of thin hair around my crown. 

Amla powder stimulates the roots and promotes hair growth as well, while reducing shedding and conditioning the hair. 

Coconut Oil: The benefits of this oil and the smell are equally awesome and wonderful. 
A guaranteed Bounty moment! Coconut has a low molecular weight and a structure that makes it one of the few oils that can penetrate the hair shaft and do good for your hair. That alone makes it a sought after product to be used in your hair care regime. You should find the best way to do this that suits your hair type. I just had it in front of me and decided to use it for this particular treatment. 

How are the powders used?

• Add the amount required to a small mixing bowl
• Add water and mix to the consistency of mashed potato or smooth enough to be able to apply to your whole head without drying out.
• Massage with care into your hair and scalp
• Put on a plastic bag, wrap in a towel of scarf and leave for an hour or two.
• Wash with warm water ensuring that all the bits are washed out completely. This may take a while! 

Another Method
Through research I found that the powders can be made into a tea and used as a hair wash. (This does not apply to henna) This would be convenient for a quick wash but would not allow you to leave it on for any length of time to absorb more of the benefits of the powders. The tea could be used for in-between treatments but should be refrigerated and used within 4 days.
I have yet to try this but can definitely see how it would fit in to a hair care regime saving you time while still maintaining the quality of your natural hair care regime
Let me know if you try this and how it worked for you.



After Treatment
My hair felt soft, clean and moisturised. There was very little shedding which led me to cut out my usual deep conditioning step with Organic Root Stimulator Hair Mayonnaise. 
If your hair feels a bit crunchy it may be worth your while to add in some extra conditioning with heat if required. 
It is important to respond to your hair needs as it responds to what you are doing. 

Next Step
Using the Liquid - Oil - Cream method, known as LOC:

• Aloe Vera Gel and water spritz to tee shirt dried hair
• Oiled with Avocado and Jojoba Oil Mix
• Creamed with Shea Butter focusing on the ends of my hair
• Braided my hair wrapped it up in a satin scarf. 

All Done!!
Voila! My hair is singing and my scalp feels great. The effort is well worth it for beautiful, healthy hair. 
This is a regime which I am using at present with great results. How do I know?
My hair is shedding less
My scalp itches less
My hair is growing in all the thin areas and there is length increase all over as well.

It is really worth giving these powders a try. There are several others which you can include, all available from the Indian shops and groceries at very little cost but maximum benefits.
Take the time to do some research in order to make sure the right powders are working well together. 
Aim to balance the mixtures with 1 part cleansing to 2 parts conditioning powders to provide the best results for you. 


Have you tried these powders and benefited from using them?

Oils for Face Cleansing

Olive Oil for your face

Oil for your face! That doesn't sound right at all, but yes, yes, yes, it really works. 
Yes, it may sound very contrary to clean your face with the very thing that you want to remove from your face but read on and be amazed.

This Oil Cleansing Method is gentle enough for the whole family but take extra care of you have acne or other sensitive type skin. Do your research because I am sure there is a blend that works for all skin types.

Here is a quote from The Simple Mom which was taken from acne.org

http://simplemom.net/oil-cleansing-method/

Oil dissolves oil. One of the most basic principals of chemistry is that “like dissolves like.” The best way to desolve a non-polar solvent like sebum/oil, is by using another non-polar solvent similar in composition: other oils. By using the right oils, you can cleanse your pores of dirt and bacteria naturally, gently and effectively, while replacing the dirty oil with beneficial ones extracted from natural botanicals, vegetables and fruit that heal, protect and nourish your skin. When done properly and consistently, the OCM can clear the skin from issues like oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, blackheads, whiteheads and other problems caused by mild to moderate acne–while leaving your skin healthy, balanced and properly moisturized.”

I couldn't explain it better myself, so how is it done?
I use two main oils: Castor oil and Olive Oil, any brand of extra virgin unrefined will do.
Castor oil pulls out all the toxins, oil build up, blackheads and surface dirt from the skin and is actually quite drying. This makes sense as it is a laxative when taken internally so when applied to the skin it does the same drawing and cleansing role. 
Olive Oil is a rich moisturising oil which hydrates and nourishes the skin. Its like liquid love on your skin, soothing, balancing and enriching to bring your skin to an awesome glow. 

What do you need?
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: 1l @£7.00 available in local supermarket
Castor Oil: 150ml bottle @ £2 in local beauty supply stores
Recycled pump bottle or a dark glass bottle
Clean face cloth: I suggest a clean face cloth for every day so buy a bundle!

To start, you may just want to experiment with a teaspoon of each to see how your skin responds and to get the ratios right. Try to be consistent for a 7 day period and note the results.

To Make
Fill three quarters of empty bottle with olive oil and the rest with castor oil. 
Put the lid on and shake to blend the oils
Label the bottle 
To Use
Use about a 50 pence sized piece in your hand and massage onto your dry face
You do not have to remove makeup as this will do it for you
Massage onto your face as this brings the blood flowing to your skin while you are cleansing with the oils.
Soak the face cloth in water that is as hot as you can take it. Warm to hot is fine.
Cover your face with the face cloth and allow the heat to saturate your skin for a few minutes. This is quite enjoyable as you can feel your skin responding.
Wipe off with the face cloth. Actually, rub off to help with the exfoliation and cleansing process. Rinse and repeat until you have removed all the oil blend.

No moisturiser is needed but some have been known to spritz with rose water or use a small amount of oil afterwards, especially at night.
Do this twice a day and you will see a difference in 7 days

Other blends include Coconut oil, Jojoba oil, Avocado oil and Grapeseed oil. So ditch the expensive brands which I have relied on myself til now, save money and glow naturally. 
Have you tried this method? Which oils do you use and with what results?
Leave your comments below.

I have no preference for any brand, I am not paid to advertise any of them and use whichever is the best price at the time. Just so you know! 
Be Awesome Naturally!